R20 - Paranormal Activity Poster Analysis

R19 - Psychological Horror Further Research

R18 - Applying BBFC classification to our horror film

In todays lesson we looked at the classifications by the BBFC and outlined the differences between a 12/12A classification and a 15 classification which helped me to understand and judge what classification we would give our short horror film. For example the main factors we have outlined from the 15 classification was the slightly stronger use of language, imitable behaviour, drugs and more. Whereas the 12/12A classification has a moderate and/or infrequent use of these.

The classification we would give our short horror film is a 12A, this is because the use of violence in our film will be infrequent and moderate and the use of language in our film is also moderate. However, there may be certain aspects in our film which may classify as 15 under the BBFC due to the imitable behaviour which we will be including such as, the glamorisation of easily accessible weapons e.g. the use of knives and anti-social behaviour e.g. bullying.

R17 - Case Study of controversial horror film - BBFC - 'The Exorcist'

Source: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/case-studies/exorcist

R16 - Audience Analysis

Audience Analysis from saleha_98

R15 - Conversation between Me and Fahmida on our Audience Survey analysis

R14 - Psychological Horror films examples

R13 - Case study of film companies that produce psychological horror films

The Safran Company

SSN Insight: Another on this list that is part talent management, part producer, Peter Safran’s company had a pretty monster hit with The Conjuring. The company’s development rolls run the gamut — comedies, dramas, a couple of spoofs — but with The Atticus Institute wrapped and awaiting a release date, its certainly got horror in the blood and will probably end up doing more of it.

 

Blumhouse Productions

Previous films: Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister, The Purge, Dark Skies
Projects

In development: Curve, Ouija, Sprawl, Paranormal Activity 5, The Purge 2, Horror Camp

 Insight: Pretty much the current heavyweight champion of the genre, company topper Jason Blum has his formula down to a science. Find an interesting take on an idea, put together a solid cast, never spend more than $5 million on a budget, and make hundreds of millions of dollars. It’s a sort of poetry, really, though to be fair, no one could have predicted just how enormous Paranormal Activity was going to be, or that it would spawn four sequels and a pair of spin-offs. Even so, sometimes success is a combination of being good and being lucky, and Blumhouse clearly is both.

Source: http://www.ssninsider.com/the-top-10-horror-production-companies-capitalizing-on-fear/

R12 - Research on psychological horror Narrative

RESEARCH ON NARRATIVE

Psychological Horror is an element of fiction, not tied to a particular genre (it manifests itself in many stories which are not identified as "horror stories"), which aims at creating horrific or unsettling effects through in-depth use of psychology. This may involve replacing physical threats with psychological ones (e.g. madness), thorough exploration of the mind of the involved protagonists (including the bad guys/Monster of the Week), replacing overt displays of horror by more subtle, creepy details, and so on. Often overlaps with Surreal Horror.

SOURCE: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PsychologicalHorror

TYPICALITY 

A major factor is relevance. In order for a horror film to be seen, it has to be relevant to potential viewers. This relevance can take the form of universal relevance – capturing the universal fear of things like death and the unknown, it can take on cultural relevance dealing with societal issues. Audiences can find subgroup relevance – groups like teenagers which many horror films are about. Lastly, there’s personal relevance – either in a way that identifies with the protagonist or in a way that condemns the antagonists or victims to their ultimate fate.

SOURCE: https://www.emaze.com/@ALOCQQZZ/Psychological-Horror-Narratives

R11 - Audience survey on Horror film trailers and posters

Create your own user feedback survey

R10 - Film Certification in the UK

 

 What is the BBFC?

The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/ DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984.

What is classification?

All classification decisions are based on the BBFC’s published and regularly updated Guidelines. The Guidelines are based on extensive public consultation, research and the accumulated experience of the BBFC over many years. They reflect current views on film, DVD and video game regulation.

Classification process…

When examining the contents the examiners look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, sexual violence, theme and violence when making decisions. They also consider context, the tone and impact of a work (e.g. how it makes the audience feel) and even the release format (for example, as DVDs are watched in the home, there is a higher risk of underage viewing).

Source: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

R9 - Codes and conventions of Psychological Horror

- A common convention of this genre is that they tend to involve ordinary people who end up exerting the horror onto other characters (though this is generally established at the end of the film).

- Generally, the killer tends to appear normal: there aren’t any physical signs that would make them appear as a killer.

- When it comes to the use of weapons in psychological horror, they tend to not be physical but rather there is a focus on the killer’s twisted mind, which is used to frighten the victims. Visions, ‘jumpy’ moments etc. are used instead of physical weapons such as guns and knives.

- Common settings for psychological horror are as follows: big houses, woodland locations, warehouses, schools and hospitals. These settings create a sense of realism in relation to the audience as they would be able to relate to some elements of the film as they might have seen/been or live in such surroundings. This would increase fear as they would be able to picture themselves in the position of the victims.

- Another common convention of psychological horror films is that there tend to be flashbacks which inform the audience of why the killer has reached such a state.

- Often the sounds/music used in psychological horror films is contrapuntal sound (i.e. the sound does not match the action that is onscreen). This is effective because it is used to contradict what is taking place on screen.

-